ZOE Pollock insisted the disappointment of missing out on a medal was offset by the thrill of competing at the British Indoor Championships, writes STUART WEIR.

The Oxford City AC teenager claimed an impressive fourth in the 400m in Glasgow yesterday, finishing strongly to cross the line just 0.17 seconds behind the third-placed runner.

The 19-year-old, from Bicester, was second in her heat on Saturday, despite leading for much of the race after a fast start.

Pollock began the final more cautiously and she admitted inexperience may have played a role in her judgement.

She said: “I maybe started off too slow, but I am only 19 and it’s a learning curve for me.

“On Saturday I set off too quickly and today I didn’t get out quite quickly enough, but it’s a fine balance.

“All in all, it’s been a good weekend and a great opportunity to run against such good athletes.

“I am still so young, so getting the experience is the best thing. Just to be here in such a cool atmosphere is amazing.”

Pollock, a first-year student at Loughborough University, qualified after finishing second in the 400m at the British Universities Championships.

With clubmates Alice Hopkins and Nathan Douglas withdrawing from the long jump and triple jump respectively, she was Oxfordshire’s only athlete in Glasgow.

Ex-Oxford City 1,500m runner Hannah England, who won World Championships silver in 2011, was among the medal presenters in her role as UK Athletes’ Commission chair.